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MANU: El Cielo con las manos - Aguilar - ISBN 987-04-0271-2

Daniel Frescó (email • bio)
Buy the book at SantaFe books (USA)
Otros títulos de Daniel Frescó
Daniel Frescó

Manu: El Cielo Con Las Manos // Daniel FrescóWhen I started thinking about writing a book on Emanuel Ginobili, around 2004, many people I interviewed wondered "Why now? He's in the middle of his career"
My response was clear. A personal and proffessional curiosity to deeply know and understand the story of someone, who through basketball -not one of Argentina's most popular sports- had been able to conquer the hearts and minds of all Argenteneans and enter the highest circle of legendary sports idols. I thought, "behind those tremendous triumphs must be a story dying to be told".

I must admit the results of my investigation by far exceeded my expectations. The Ginobili fenomenon is only understandable in the context in which he was born and further developed. His story is fascinating because it is a story about faith, talent, intelligence, the power of will and the patience to obtain the objective for which, in a way, he was always predestined. It is not the story of a common man, but of an exceptional one.

Emanuel Ginóbili was born in Bahia Blanca to a very special family, in a house where everyone breathed basketball. In every room, in every corner. His home was considered by the locals as an extension of the local neighborhood club.
His father Jorge was a player, coach, and manager of the sport. And passed on his passion to his children through daily example, and a way of life dictated by subtle, yet rigid, exemplary conducts.

His mother, Raquel, who supports her families chosen sport with great love and sweetnes, became in charge with the intelectual and moral background. And had no doubts on setting limits whenever it was necessary. His two older brothers, Sebastian and Leandro, who played the sport and continue to do so until this day, were what Manu aspired to be like, and followed in their footsteps.

As if it were a natural extension in the family, he grew up among countless friends that would gather at his mystical house during, and after the games to discuss the anecdotes and strategies for hours on end.

Within this environemnt, was his second home; the local neighborhood club "Bahiense del Norte" (Northern Bahiense). Located just one block from Manu's house, since it inception, it aimed to be a warm and familiar training ground, hard to find anywhere else.

All of this took place in Bahia Blanca, a city known as Argentine's capital of basketball. Out of the entire country, it is only in this city that this sport inspires equal or even more passion than soccer. Since he was a child, Manu learned how to maximize the potential of his world and bring out the best in him. Added with his intelligence, his winning yet humble atittude, his sacrifice and total devotion, it isn't strange that Manu strived to be the best.

To write about his life was an experience that allowed me to get in touch with the best values. From his family, his people and an entire city. Thanks to all of them, who opened not only their homes but their hearts in many interviews, I was able to to get to know intimate and captivating details. To reconstruct step by step, each and every personal and proffesional achievement to this day.
And discover the path that led him to be the Idol he is today.

Each and every trip to Bahia Blanca was a journey into that very unique, fascinating world. All of the people I spoke with that had to do directly with his upbringing or training, wether it be in Argentina, Europe or the United States, proudly let me in on their knowledge about his evolution as an athlete and as a human being. To share all of this in the first book about his life.

To reveal how the struggle and eventual success of a triunmphant will like Manu's came in no way by any type of luck or chance, but is the result of his own outstanding tenacity, his surrounding and even his country.

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